Honouring the legacy of the Windrush generation and all those that followed at UHDB
Throughout Black History Month in October, University Hospital of Derby and Burton unveiled a series of Windrush commemoration plaques across all five Trust sites. This was led by our EMBRACE staff network who worked with partners like Derby City Council and Derbyshire Community Health Services Foundation Trust to design a fitting tribute to the Windrush generation, and all those who came after them in a permanent reminder of their remarkable legacy.
This year's theme for Black History Month is 'reclaiming narratives' which empowers black people to reclaim their stories, history and shine a light on the extraordinary contributions they have made and continue to make to society. This was sadly often overlooked and downplayed due to institutional racism, discrimination and prejudice.
So, this year, we wanted to platform and honour these rich stories and support the black community to reclaim one of the most important events in British history - by recognising and honouring the Windrush generation all those years ago and the key role they played to help rebuild this country after the second world war, and establish one of our most valuable institutions, the NHS.
Unveiling ceremonies were held at all Trust sites led by our executive leadership team along with UHDB colleagues who shared powerful personal stories and their own history as the descendants of the Windrush generation. UHDB colleagues were invited to attend the unveilings along with special invite to guests from the community including representation from the Caribbean community, former hospital NHS colleagues and family members of Derby NHS workers who have sadly passed away.
To witness this milestone moment for UHDB, we were joined by local leaders including Cllr Bernard Peters at Queen's Hospital Burton, Chair of Derby's Black Lives Matter chapter, Professor and Cllr Cecile Wright, and Derby City Council leader Cllr Nadine Peatfield at Royal Derby Hospital.
The first plaque was unveiled on 1 October at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital - this site was one of the first NHS organisations to employ staff from the Windrush generation, their descendants and all the diverse communities that followed after including new arrivals from South Asia, Africa and beyond.
The first unveiling service was led by our Chief People Officer, Amanda Rawlings, and Chief Executive, Stephen Posey who addressed all guests before introducing UHDB colleague Evan Blackwood-Pitter to share her powerful reflections and personal connection to Windrush and lead the unveiling.
Reflecting on the first unveiling event, Evan said, ''I am really proud to be involved and part of this really auspicious moment for our Trust and join leaders, fellow colleagues, local leaders, partners and our community to unveil the first plaque at Florence Nightingale Community Hospital, and the final plaque at Royal Derby Hospital.
''The plaque unveilings were really emotional and meaningful for me - while my own father was not on the HMT Windrush, he was on the ship that followed behind. My siblings and I are all first generation Windrush children. It was amazing to see former nurses and healthcare assistants from the Windrush generation, and family members of the Windrush generation come together to mark this moment at UHDB and remember this important history.''
Trust Chair, Prem Singh led the final keynote speech at our last unveiling at Royal Derby Hospital, sharing his own history and personal NHS journey.
Prem commented, '' ''As Trust Chair, I am really proud and honoured that we have taken this step to recognise the significant role the Windrush generation had in the NHS story with a lasting reminder at each and every one of our Trust sites with the unveiling of commemorative plaques throughout black History Month. These plaques serve as a strong reminder that when we all stand together, we can achieve outstanding things, and deliver the exceptional and inclusive care we know all our patients deserve.
''These events have been powerful and moving, reminding me of my own journey here when I first joined the NHS as a student nurse in 1975 after responding to an article in a Malaysian newspaper - in many ways answering the same call the Windrush generation did in 1948, but many more years on and similar to the stories of so many of our colleagues at UHDB today.''
''The Windrush generation truly laid the groundwork for me and all our diverse communities in here in Derbyshire as well as the whole country, to build thriving lives and have meaningful careers and make a significant contribution to the NHS. It has been a privilege to stand united with our colleagues and community leaders in this important endeavour, we must always remember, 'you called, we came'.
Professor and Cllr Cecile Wright, former chair of Derby's Black Lives Matter chapter, and a friend of the EMBRACE network shared her reflections after attending the final unveiling at Royal Derby Hospital on 16 October.
She said, ''It was an honour and privilege to be invited and speak at the unveiling event at Royal Derby Hospital. These plaques commemorate a momentous event in our history and is particularly important to recognise health staff, particularly nurses invited from the Caribbean all those years ago to help establish the newly formed NHS. It was poignant that the event was undertaken within Black History Month exemplifying this year's theme of ‘Reclaiming the narratives’, by shining a light on the untold stories and unsung heroes of this generation.''
EMBRACE Staff Network Lead, Mwansa Mulenga and Co-Lead Joe Ramtohal shared a joint statement, ''These unveilings mean a lot to our community and our staff showing that at UHDB we recognise, respect and honour the foundations laid by the Windrush generation. We want to share special thanks to Dr Fatima Eltinay, anesthetist at UHDB, Prof. Cllr. Cecile Wright and her valuable input and to our guest speakers Audrey Watson, Senior Sister at QHB, Delish-Joy Ruskin, dietitian at FNCH and Edozie Iweka, Advanced Radiographer at RDH for coming along to share their personal stories and reflections.
''Thank you to the Estates and Facilities department and our Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity for facilitating and sponsoring all our events across the Trust.''
Stephen Posey, Chief Executive at UHDB said, ''It was really powerful to see so many colleagues - former and present, community members, our partners and local leaders across all our sites come together to mark this milestone moment for our Trust and pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the Windrush generation, their descendants, and all the communities who settled here to make our diverse NHS what it is today. This permanent symbol is a recognition and celebration of their service, sacrifice and significant contribution to our country and NHS despite the challenges they faced settling here and navigating a new life - we truly owe them a huge debt of gratitude and I am incredibly proud we have been able to honour them in a fitting way.''